Denture prosthetics offer a way to replace missing teeth, restoring oral function and appearance. While they provide significant benefits, denture wearers can encounter various challenges that affect their comfort and daily life. Understanding these potential difficulties helps in addressing them effectively and maintaining overall oral health.
Understanding Common Denture Difficulties
Denture wearers often experience discomfort, such as sore spots or gum irritation. This often results from dentures rubbing against soft tissues, especially during initial adjustment or if the fit changes over time. Eating can also be challenging, with reduced chewing efficiency or shifting dentures.
Speech changes are another common difficulty, as new dentures can alter pronunciation, causing a lisp or making certain words harder to articulate. Denture fit issues, such as slipping or looseness, are also common. This movement can lead to discomfort and affect both eating and speaking.
Bad odor or taste can originate from dentures. This can be a sign of bacterial accumulation or inadequate cleaning. Physical damage, such as cracks or breaks, can also occur, affecting their function and potentially causing sharp edges that irritate the mouth.
Reasons Denture Problems Arise
The initial adjustment period for new dentures is a common reason for problems, as mouth tissues and muscles adapt. During this phase, mild soreness or difficulty with speaking and eating are expected as oral structures acclimate. Over time, underlying bone and gum structures naturally change through bone resorption, where jawbone density decreases when natural teeth are absent.
These changes can cause dentures that once fit well to become loose or ill-fitting. Improper fit or fabrication from the outset can also lead to persistent issues like pressure points or instability. Inadequate cleaning and maintenance contribute to problems, including the buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria, which can cause bad odor, irritation, or infections like denture stomatitis.
Accidental damage, such as dropping the dentures or biting on hard objects, can result in cracks or breaks. Failure to remove dentures overnight can also put continuous pressure on the gums, leading to soreness and potentially exacerbating fit issues.
Solutions and Management for Denture Issues
Professional adjustments are often the first step in resolving discomfort and fit issues. Dentists can identify pressure points and modify the denture base for improved comfort and stability. If dentures become loose due to changes in oral anatomy, relining or rebasing procedures may be recommended.
Relining involves adding a new layer of material to the inner surface of the denture base to restore a snug fit, while rebasing replaces the entire denture base while retaining the existing teeth. Proper daily cleaning techniques are also essential for managing denture issues. This includes daily brushing with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive cleanser, and soaking them in a denture-specific solution overnight to prevent drying and bacterial buildup.
Denture adhesives (pastes, powders, or strips) can provide temporary stability and comfort by enhancing the bond between the denture and gum tissues. It is important to apply a small amount evenly and avoid overuse, as excessive adhesive can ooze and cause discomfort. If problems persist despite home care and minor adjustments, consulting a dentist is recommended to evaluate whether new dentures or alternative solutions, such as implant-supported dentures, are necessary.
Preventing Future Denture Concerns
Maintaining regular dental check-ups helps minimize future denture problems, even for individuals without natural teeth. These visits allow dentists to monitor the fit of dentures, assess oral health, and detect early signs of gum irritation, infections, or bone loss. A consistent and thorough denture cleaning routine is also important for preventing issues.
Dentures should be cleaned daily using a soft brush and non-abrasive cleanser, and soaked in water or a denture cleaning solution when not in use. This practice helps prevent the accumulation of plaque and bacteria, which can lead to odors and oral infections. Proper storage of dentures, typically in water or a denture cleansing solution, helps maintain their shape and prevents them from drying out or warping.
Avoiding habits or foods that could damage dentures or irritate gums is also beneficial. This includes refraining from biting on hard objects like ice or nuts, which can cause cracks or breaks. Additionally, chewing food evenly on both sides of the mouth can help stabilize dentures and reduce strain on specific areas.